Image transmission apparatus and method therefor

ABSTRACT

An image transmission apparatus/method characterized by inputting image data, detecting the motion of the image data, setting a transmission condition of the image data in accordance with the detection of the motion of the image data, processing the image data in accordance with the set transmission condition and transmitting the processed image data.  
     An image transmission apparatus/method characterized by detecting an image pickup condition of the image pickup means for picking up an image, decreasing information amount of image data from the image pickup means, controlling the decreasing operation in accordance with the image pickup condition and transmitting the image data having the information amount decreased.  
     An image transmission apparatus/method characterized by picking up an image to acquire image data, setting an image pickup operation mode, determining a transmission condition of the image data in accordance with the set condition, processing the image data in accordance with the determined transmission condition and transmitting the processed image data.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to an image transmission apparatusfor transmitting image data and a method therefor.

[0003] 2. Related Background Art

[0004] In the past, in order to watch and listen video and audio pickedup by a VTR built-in video camera or a video camera, the VTR built-invideo camera or the video camera is connected to a monitor through acord.

[0005] Alternatively, in order to wirelessly connect the VTR or thevideo camera to the monitor, the VTR or the video camera is connected toa transmission unit which is separate from the VTR built-in video cameraor the video camera and the video and the audio are transmitted byFM-modulated infrared rays.

[0006] Recently, it has been proposed to wireless-transmit the video andaudio data picked up by the VTR-built-in video camera or the videocamera as a digital signal.

[0007] However, in case of the cord connection, work required to connectthe VTR built-in video camera or the video camera with the monitor istroublesome. Further, because of the cord connection, the freedom ofimage pickup and watching is limited.

[0008] On the other hand, in the case of the FM-modulated infrared raywireless connection, since the infrared ray transmission unit isseparate, the connection of the VTR built-in video camera or the videocamera with the infrared ray transmission unit is again needed andproblems of degradation of information due to shortage of transmittedinformation, interference and disturbance, restriction to thedirectivity and short transmission distance are involved. Further, sincethe transmission amount is limited to a certain amount (for example, 128Kbits/sec), information which is different from the intention of theuser of the video camera may be transmitted.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] From the background described above, it is an object of thepresent invention to provide an image transmission apparatus whichincreases the freedom of image transmission, improves the operabilityand can externally transmit the intended information, and a methodtherefor.

[0010] For this purpose, in accordance with one preferred embodiment,the image transmission apparatus/method is characterized by inputtingimage data, detecting the motion of the image data, setting atransmission condition of the image data in accordance with thedetection of the motion of the image data, processing the image data inaccordance with the set transmission condition and transmitting theprocessed image data.

[0011] Further, in accordance with another preferred embodiment theimage transmission apparatus/method is characterized by detecting animage pickup condition of the image pickup means for picking up animage, decreasing information amount of image data from the image pickupmeans, controlling the decreasing operation in accordance with the imagepickup condition and transmitting the image data having the informationamount decreased.

[0012] Further, in accordance with other preferred embodiment, the imagetransmission apparatus/method is characterized by picking up an image toacquire image data, setting an image pickup operation mode, determininga transmission condition of the image data in accordance with the setcondition, processing the image data in accordance with the determinedtransmission condition and transmitting the processed image data.

[0013] Other objects, features and advantages of the invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014]FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a configuration of a VTR built-invideo camera in accordance with the present invention,

[0015]FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of detail of a compressionencoding/decoding circuit 108 of FIG. 1,

[0016]FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of a configuration of a spectrumspread transmission circuit 110 of FIG. 1,

[0017]FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of a detailed configuration of apan/tilt detection circuit 113 of FIG. 1,

[0018]FIG. 5 shows an operation flow chart of a pan/tilt detector 404,

[0019]FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of a detailed configuration of amotion detection circuit 116,

[0020]FIG. 7 shows a transmission method of image data in an operationkey 113 and an operation switch for image pickup/transmission modeselection of transmission image quality,

[0021]FIG. 8 illustrates a setting ratio of parameters in an imagepickup/operation mode in an embodiment,

[0022]FIG. 9 shows a flow chart of an operation of the VTR built-invideo camera by the operation key shown in FIG. 7,

[0023]FIGS. 10A and 10B show examples of display of an EVF 112 in anembodiment,

[0024]FIG. 11 shows a block diagram of a configuration of a receiver inan embodiment,

[0025]FIG. 12 shows another embodiment a transmission method of imagedata in the operation switch 113 and the operation switch for the imagepickup/transmission mode selection of the transmission image quality,and

[0026]FIGS. 13A and 13B show relations between the number of frames anda frame rate in a frame preference mode and a resolution preferencemode.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027] The image transmission apparatus of the present invention is nowexplained in connection with a VTR built-in video camera.

[0028]FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a configuration of a VTR built-invideo camera in accordance with the present invention.

[0029] In FIG. 1, numeral 101 denotes a lens for picking up an image,numeral 102 denotes an image pickup element for focusing the image,numeral 103 denotes a CDS (dual correlation sampling)/AGC (automaticgain control) for sampling and holding the image and amplifying it to anappropriate level, numeral 104 denotes a motor driver for driving a lensfor focusing or zooming, numeral 105 denotes a digital signal processingcircuit for digitally processing image data, numeral 106 denotes acontrol circuit for controlling peripheral blocks, numeral 107 denotes amemory for digital processing, numeral 108 denotes a compressionencoding/decoding circuit for compressing and decompressing the imagedata, numeral 109 denotes a recording and reproducing apparatus (VTR)for recording and reproducing the image data, numeral 110 denotes aspread spectrum transmission circuit for transmitting the image data,numeral 111 denotes an antenna, numeral 112 denotes an electronic viewfinder for displaying an image and image pickup information, numeral 113denotes an operation key, numeral 114 denotes a microcomputer forcontrolling a system, numeral 115 denotes a detection circuit fordetecting pan or tilt of the VTR built-in video camera and numeral 116denotes a motion detection circuit for detecting the motion of the imagedata.

[0030] An operation of the VTR built-in video camera thus configuredwill be explained later.

[0031]FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of detail of the compressionencoding/decoding circuit 108 of FIG. 1.

[0032] In FIG. 2, numeral 151 denotes a pixel thinning-out circuit,numeral 152 denotes a memory, numeral 153 denotes a frame thinning-outcircuit for thinning out the number of frames per second of the imagedata from a standard number, numeral 154 denotes a DCT (discrete cosinetransform)/IDCT (inverse discrete cosine transform) circuit, numeral 155denotes a quantization/inverse-quantization circuit, numeral 156 denotesa quantization step control circuit for controlling a quantization stepof the quantization/inverse-quantization circuit 155, numeral 157denotes a Huffman code/decode circuit and numeral 158 denotes a Huffmantable.

[0033] An operation of the compression encoding/decoding circuit 108thus configured is described below.

[0034] First, an encoding operation is explained.

[0035] The image data inputted to the compression encoding/decodingcircuit 108 is supplied to the pixel thinning-out circuit 151 and thepixels are thinned out in accordance with control data from the controlcircuit 106.

[0036] The image data outputted from the pixel thinning-out circuit 151is temporarily stored in the memory 152. The frame thinning-out circuit153 reads the image data stored in the memory 152 and thins out theframes in accordance with control data from the control circuit 106.

[0037] The image data outputted from the frame thinning-out circuit 153is divided into blocks for every 8×8 pixels by the DCT/IDCT circuit 154to conduct the DCT conversion for each block. The DCT converted imagedata is supplied to the quantization/inverse-quantization circuit 155and the quantization step control circuit 156.

[0038] The quantization step control circuit 156 collects a plurality ofblocks of DCT converted image data, determines the quantization stepsuch that a predetermined code amounts is acquired when the plurality ofblocks of image data are coded and outputs quantization step dataindicating the determined quantization step to thequantization/inverse-quantization circuit 155 and the control circuit106.

[0039] The quantization step data is added to the coded image data bythe control circuit 106 and transmitted to a succeeding stage circuit.

[0040] The quantization step control circuit 156 is controlled by thecontrol data from the control circuit 106 as the pixel thinning-outcircuit 151 and the frame thinning-out circuits are controlled so.

[0041] Operation controls of the pixel thinning-out circuit 151, theframe thinning-out circuit 153 and the quantization step control circuit156 by the control data from the quantization step control circuit 156will be explained later.

[0042] In the quantization/inverse-quantization circuit 155, the DCTconverted image data is quantized by using the quantization step datafrom the quantization step control circuit 154. The image data quantizedby the quantization/inverse-quantization circuit 155 is Huffman-coded bythe Huffman code/decode circuit 153 by using the Huffman table 158 andit is outputted.

[0043] The decode operation is now explained.

[0044] The coded image data is Huffman-decoded by the Huffmancode/decode circuit 157 in accordance with the Huffman table 158.

[0045] The Huffman-decoded image data is dequantized by thequantization/inverse-quantization circuit 155. The quantization step isset by the quantization step control circuit 156 based on the result ofidentification conducted by the control circuit 106 which identifies thequantization step data added to the coded image data and transmitted.

[0046] The image data dequantized by thequantization/inverse-quantization circuit 155 is IDCT-transformed by theDCT/IDCT circuit 154 and it is outputted.

[0047]FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of a detailed configuration of thespectrum spread transmission circuit 110 of FIG. 1.

[0048] In FIG. 3, numeral 301 denotes a serial-parallel converter fromserial-parallel converting the image data, numeral 301-1 to 302-n denotemultipliers, numeral 303 denotes a spread code generator, numeral 304denotes an adder and numeral 305 denotes an RF (radio frequency)converter for converting into an RF signal.

[0049] An operation of the spread spectrum transmission circuit 110 thusconfigured is now explained.

[0050] The input image data is converted to n parallel data by theserial-parallel converter 301 and the respective converted aremultiplied by n different spread code outputs of the spread codegenerator 303 in the n multipliers 302-1 to 302-n, added by the adderand outputted to the RF converter 305. The added base band wide spreadsignal is converted to a transmission frequency signal having a propercenter frequency by the RF converter 305 and outputted from thetransmission antenna 111.

[0051]FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of a detailed configuration of thepan/tilt detection circuit 115 of FIG. 1.

[0052] In FIG. 4, numeral 401 denotes an angular velocity sensor,numeral 402 denotes an amplifier/filter for amplifying the output of theangular velocity sensor 401 and limiting a band of the signal, numeral403 denotes an A/D converter for converting the analog output of theamplifier/filter 402 to a digital signal and numeral 404 denotes apan/tilt detection circuit for detecting the pan and the tilt of thecamera shown in FIG. 1 based on the output of the A/D converter 403.

[0053] An operation of the pan/tilt detection circuit 115 thusconfigured is now explained.

[0054] When the orientation of the camera is changed by the pan or thetilt, the angle sensor 401 outputs a signal in accordance with anangular velocity of the change of the orientation.

[0055] The output of the angular velocity sensor 401 is amplified andband-limited by the amplifier/filter 402, digitized by the A/D converter403 and inputted to the pan/tilt detection circuit 404.

[0056]FIG. 5 shows an operation flow chart of the pan/tilt detector 404.

[0057] First, it determines whether the angular velocity is not smallerthan a predetermined threshold ωa or not (S1), and if the angularvelocity is not smaller than the threshold ωa, it is determined as thepan/tilt condition (S2). If an angular displacement which is anintegration of the angular velocity is not smaller than a threshold Θaeven if the angular velocity is smaller than the threshold ωa (S3), itis also determined as the pan/tilt condition (S2). If the angulardisplacement is smaller than Θa, it is determined as a steady state(S4).

[0058] The detection result by the pan/tilt detection circuit 404 isapplied to the pixel thinning-out circuit 151 and the frame thinning-outcircuit 153 and used for the control of the number of thinning-out ofthe pixels and the number of thinning-out of the frames.

[0059]FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of a detailed configuration of themotion detection circuit 116.

[0060] In FIG. 6, numerals 601 and 603 denote block divider for dividinginto 16×16 pixel blocks, numeral 602 denotes a one-field delay circuitor delaying the input image data by one field period, numeral 604denotes a matching circuit for matching the outputs from the blockdividers 601 and 603 for each block to calculate a correlationdistribution, numeral 605 denotes a motion vector detector forcalculating a motion vector of each block based on the output from thematching circuit, numeral 606 denotes a weighting circuit for applying apredetermined weight to the motion vector of each block and numeral 607denotes a motion/still image detector for detecting whether the currentimage is a motion image or a still image based on the output of theweighting circuit 606.

[0061] An operation of the motion detection circuit 116 thus configuredis now explained.

[0062] The image data inputted from the control circuit 106 is dividedinto 16×16 pixel blocks by the block divider 601. The input image datais also delayed by one field by the one-field delay circuit 602 anddivided into 16×16 pixel blocks by the block divider as the blockdivider 601 does.

[0063] The matching circuit 604 matches the outputs of the blockdividers 601 and 603 for each block to calculate the correlationdistribution. The motion vector detector 605 for each block calculatesthe motion vector for each block from the correlation distributioncalculated by the matching circuit 604.

[0064] A predetermined weight is applied to the motion vector of eachblock detected by the motion detector 605.

[0065] For example, a large weight is applied to a center of screen anda small weight is applied to a periphery of the screen. Namely, thecenter of the screen is weighted.

[0066] The motion-still image detector 607 detects whether a currentimage is a motion picture or a still picture in accordance with theoutput of the weighting circuit 606. The detection result of themotion/still image detector 607 is transmitted to the pixel thinning-outcircuit 151 and the frame thinning-out circuit 153 through the controlcircuit 106.

[0067] An operation of the VTR built-in video camera configured as shownin FIG. 1 is now explained.

[0068] In the configuration of FIG. 1, the operation of the VTR built-invideo camera is conducted through the operation key 113.

[0069] In the pickup mode of the video camera, an object image isfocused on an image pickup element 102 (for example, CCD) by the lens101.

[0070] The image data derived from the image pickup element 102 issampled and amplified by the CDS/AGC circuit 103 and inputted to thedigital signal processing circuit 105. The digital signal processingcircuit 105 conducts the gamma processing and the white balanceadjustment to the input image data.

[0071] The lens 101 receives a control command of the microcomputer 114for the zooming and the focusing and driven by the motor driver 104. Theimage data is transmitted from the digital signal processing circuit 105to the EVF 112 for monitoring the image being picked up and the imagepickup data. The image pickup data (for example, tape counter, variousalarms and image pickup operation mode) and control command aretransmitted from the microcomputer 114 to the EVF 112.

[0072] On the other hand, the image data is coded by the compressionencoding/decoding circuit 108 by using the control circuit 106 and thememory 107 and recorded in the recording and reproducing circuit 109.

[0073] Based on the information set by the user of the video camera bythe operation switch 135 on the operation key 113 of the main unit,coded data for transmission and timing are generated by using thedigital signal processing circuit 105, the control circuit 106, thememory 107, the compression encoding/decoding circuit 108, themicrocomputer 114, the pan/tilt detection circuit 115 and the motiondetection circuit 116 and the image data to be transmitted is wirelesstransmitted from the antenna 111 by the spectrum spread transmissioncircuit 110 by the set transmission method and transmission imagequality.

[0074]FIG. 7 shows the transmission method of the image data in theoperation key 113 and the operation switch for the imagepickup/transmission mode selection of the transmission image quality.

[0075] By operating the operation key 113 of FIG. 7, a user desiredimage can be transmitted even for the wireless transmission in which amaximum transmission rate is smaller than that of wire transmission.

[0076] As the image pickup/transmission mode switches, a manual/standardselection switch 701, a sports mode (a frame rate preference mode)selection switch 702, a portrait mode (a resolution preference mode)selection switch 703 and a fault mode selection switch 704 are provided.

[0077] The manual/standard mode selection switch 701 switches the manualmode and the standard mode for each operation. When the manual/standardmode selection switch 701 is operated when the sports mode (frame ratepreference mode), the portrait mode (resolution preference mode) or thefault mode is set, the mode is switched to the standard mode.

[0078] The respective modes are now explained.

[0079] The parameters which can be set in the manual mode include ahorizontal image angle size, a vertical image angle size, the number ofpixels per frame, a frame rate (the number of frames/second), acompression rate of a brilliance signal and a compression rate of acolor signal. The respective parameters may be set in various manners byoperating slide switches 705 to 710.

[0080] The parameters which may be set by the slide switches are notlimited to the above and switches for various parameters for thetransmission such as an audio compression ratio, a transmission protocoland a transmission power may be provided.

[0081] In the sports mode, the portrait mode and the fault mode, thesetting ratios of the number of pixels, the frame rate and thecompression rate are different.

[0082]FIG. 8 illustrates the setting ratios of the parameters in thesports mode (frame rate preference mode), the portrait mode (resolutionpreference mode) and the fault mode.

[0083] In FIG. 8, an abscissa represents the parameters (compressionratio, frame rate and the number of pixels) and an ordinate representsthe magnitude of numerals.

[0084] In the standard mode, the ratio A is set, and in the sports mode(frame rate preference mode), the ratio B for the preference of theframe mode is set and the number of pixels is reduced from the standardby the control of the pixel thinning-out circuit 151, and the weightingis applied to the quantization step by the quantization step controlcircuit 156 to increase the frame rate. In the sports mode, the framerate may be controlled to increase by increasing the compression ratiowithout reducing the number of pixels. The frame rate by the sports modeis a maximum frame rate (for example, 30 frames/second) which can beattained by the video camera.

[0085] In the portrait mode (resolution preference mode), the ratio isset to C for the preference of the resolution, and the number of pixelsis increased from the standard by the control of the pixel thinning-outcircuit 151, the frame rate is reduced from the standard by the controlof the frame rate thinning-out circuit 153, and the weighting is appliedto the quantization step by the quantization step control circuit 156 toreduce the compression ratio from the standard. By this process, a highresolution and high quality image is attained although the frame rate isdropped.

[0086] When the sports mode or the portrait mode is set when the imagedata is to be transmitted together with the image pickup of the VTRbuilt-in video camera, a charge storage time of the image pickup element102 is set shorter than that in the standard mode by the microcomputer114 and an object depth is set shallow. A focus following velocity ofthe lens 101 driven through the motor driver 104 is fastest in thesports mode, next fastest in the standard mode and slowest in theportrait mode. In a full auto mode, the image pickup element 102 and themotor driver 104 operate in the same manner as that in the standard modeas opposed to the sports mode and the portrait mode.

[0087]FIGS. 13A and 13B show relations between the number of pixels andthe frame rate in the frame preference mode and the resolutionpreference mode in the present embodiment.

[0088] In the fault mode, whether the image is a motion image or a stillimage is determined by the pan/tilt detection circuit 115 and the motiondetection circuit 116, and when it is the motion image, the pixelthinning-out circuit 151, the frame rate thinning-out circuit 153 andthe quantization step control circuit 156 are controlled to set theratio B, and when it is the still image, they are controlled to set theratio C.

[0089] Namely, in the fault mode, the frame preference mode or theresolution preference mode is automatically selected in accordance withthe motion of the image.

[0090] In the present embodiment, the manual mode, the standard mode,the sports mode (frame rate preference mode), the portrait mode(resolution preference mode) and the fault mode are shown as the imagepickup/transmission modes, the ratios of the parameters may beprogrammed in other operation modes for setting the image quality. As tothe sorts of the parameters, parameters such as audio compression ratio,transmission protocol and transmission power may be used.

[0091] A wireless transmission operation of the VTR built-in videocamera by the operation key shown in FIG. 7 is now explained withreference to a flow chart of FIG. 9.

[0092]FIG. 9 shows a flow chart of an operation of the VTR built-invideo camera by the operation switch shown in FIG. 7.

[0093] First, in a step S11, a state of the operation switch (see FIG.7) operated by the user of the video camera is read.

[0094] In a step S12, whether the manual mode is set or not isdetermined. If the manual mode is set, the process proceeds to a stepS13 to read the set states of the slide switches 705 to 710 shown inFIG. 7 to determine the settings to control the pixel thinning-outcircuit 151, the frame rate thinning-out circuit 153 and thequantization step control circuit 156.

[0095] In the step S12, if the manual mode is not set, the processproceeds to a step S14 to determine whether the standard mode is set ornot. If the standard mode is set, the process proceeds to a step S15 todetermine the setting to control the pixel thinning-out circuit 151, theframe rate thinning-out circuit 153 and the quantization step controlcircuit 156 to set the setting ratio A of FIG. 8.

[0096] In the step S14, if the standard mode is not set, the processproceeds to a step S16 to determine whether the sports mode (frame ratepreference mode) is set or not. If the sports mode (frame ratepreference mode) is set, the process proceeds to a step S17 to determinethe setting to control the pixel thinning-out circuit 151, the framerate thinning-out circuit 153 and the quantization step control circuit156 to set the setting ratio B of FIG. 8, and the process proceeds to astep S24.

[0097] In the step S16, if the sports mode (frame rate preference mode)is not set, the process proceeds to a step S18 to determine whether theportrait mode (resolution preference mode) is set or not. If theportrait mode (resolution preference mode) is set, the process proceedsto a step S19 to determine the settings to control the pixelthinning-out circuit 151, the frame rate thinning-out circuit 153 andthe quantization step control circuit 156 to set the setting ratio C ofFIG. 8, and the process proceeds to a step S24.

[0098] In the step S18, if the portrait mode (resolution preferencemode) is not set, the process proceeds to a step S20 to determinewhether the fault mode is set or not. If the fault mode is set, theprocess proceeds to a step S21 to determine whether the input image datais a motion image or not.

[0099] In the determination method for the motion image in the step S21,whether the input image data is a motion image or not is determined bydetermining whether the pan/tilt state or not by the pan/tilt detectioncircuit.

[0100] Namely, when it is determined as the pan/tilt state by thepan/tilt detection circuit 115, it is determined that the input imagedata is a motion image. If it is not the pan/tilt state, whether theinput image data is a motion picture or not is determined by the motiondetection by the motion detection circuit 116.

[0101] If it is determined as the motion image in the step S21, theprocess proceeds to a step S22 to determine the setting to control thepixel thinning-out circuit 151, the frame rate thinning-out circuit 153and the quantization step control circuit 156 to set the setting ratio Bof FIG. 8 and the process proceeds to a step S24.

[0102] If it is determined as not a motion image in the step S21, theprocess proceeds to a step S23 to determine the settings to control thepixel thinning-out circuit 151, the frame rate thinning-out circuit 153and the quantization step control circuit 156 to set the setting ratio Cof FIG. 8, and the process proceeds to a step S24.

[0103] If the fault mode is not set in the step S20, the process returnsto the step S11 to read the state of the operation switch (see FIG. 7)to conduct the mode determination again.

[0104] In the step S24, the operations of the pixel thinning-out circuit151, the frame rate thinning-out circuit 153 and the quantization stepcontrol circuit 156 are controlled to set the settings determined in thesteps S15, S17, S19, S22 and S23.

[0105] In a step S25, whether the transmission data is within atransmission capacity or not is determined. If it exceeds thetransmission capacity, the process proceeds to a step S26 to control thequantization step control circuit 156 to adjust the quantization step tosuppress the transmission data amount within the transmission capacity.

[0106] In the step S25, if it is within the transmission capacity, theprocess proceeds to a step S27 to start the data transmission.

[0107] In a step S28, whether the data transmission is completed or notis determined, and if the data transmission is not completed, theprocess returns to the step S11. If the data transmission is completed,the flow is terminated.

[0108] The settings determined in the steps S15, S17, S19, S21, S23 andS22 are stored in a ROM table built in the system in the presentembodiment.

[0109] In the present embodiment, an operation state of the camera isdisplayed on the EVF 112 to allow the user of the video camera torecognize the operation state of the video camera.

[0110]FIGS. 10A and 10B show examples of display of the EVF 112 of theembodiment.

[0111]FIG. 10A shows an example of display of the EVF 112 in the manualmode and FIG. 10B shows an example of display of the EVF 112 in thesports mode. “Record” in the figure indicates a recorder operation modein the VTR built-in video camera and “10:15 AM” and “1995.12.10”indicates an auto date.

[0112] An apparats for receiving the data wireless transmitted by theVTR built-in video camera of FIG. 1 is now explained.

[0113]FIG. 11 shows a block diagram of a configuration of a receivingapparatus in the embodiment.

[0114] In FIG. 11, numeral 201 denotes an antenna, numeral 202 denotes aspread spectrum receiving circuit for spectrum inverse-spreading thesignal received by the antenna 201 (by correlating with the receivedsignal by the same spread signal as that of the transmitter), convertingthe received signal to a narrow band signal having a band widthcorresponding to the original data and conducting the normal datademodulation to reproduce the original data, numeral 203 denotes adecoding circuit for demodulating the image data reproduced by thespread spectrum receiving circuit 202, numeral 204 denotes an inputbuffer for temporarily storing the decoded image data, numeral 205denotes a frame memory for storing one frame of image data, numeral 206denotes a recording and reproducing circuit for temporarily storing theimage data outputted from the frame memory 205 in a recording medium andreproducing it as required, numeral 207 denotes a synchronization signaladdition circuit for adding video synchronization signal data to theimage data read from the frame memory 205 to convert it to video data,numeral 208 denotes a D/A converter, numeral 209 denotes a monitor (forexample, a liquid crystal monitor) for video-displaying the video signaloutputted from the D/A converter 208, numeral 210 denotes a framecontrol circuit for controlling the input buffer 204 and the framememory 205 and outputting one frame of received image data from theframe memory 205 and numeral 211 denotes a synchronization signalgeneration circuit for generating a synchronization signal for defininga timing of the overall system and a video synchronization signal of thereceived image data.

[0115] An operation of the receiving apparatus thus configured is nowexplained.

[0116] The spread spectrum receiving circuit 202 spectruminverse-spreads the signal received by the antenna 201 to convert thereceived signal to a narrow band signal of the band width of theoriginal data to demodulate the original data.

[0117] The demodulated image data is supplied to the decoding circuit203 for decoding process. The decoded image data is stored in the framememory 205 through the input buffer 204. When the frame memory 205stores one frame of image data, it reads out the image data.

[0118] The image data read out from the frame memory 205 is supplied tothe synchronization signal addition circuit 207 or recorded andreproduced by the recording and reproducing circuit 206 and thensupplied to the synchronization signal addition circuit 207.

[0119] The synchronization signal addition circuit 207 adds the videosynchronization signal data from the synchronization signal generationcircuit 211 to the image data from the frame memory 205 or the recordingand reproducing circuit 206. The D/A converter 208 converts the digitaloutput of the synchronization signal addition circuit 207 to an analogsignal and supplies it to the LCD monitor 209. The LCD monitor 209displays the supplied image signal.

[0120] As described herein above, in accordance with the presentembodiment, since the wireless transmission is conducted by freelyselecting the transmission method and the transmission image qualitywhich the user of the video camera desires, the information desired bythe user of the video camera may be transmitted. Further, since theinformation of the optimum transmission method and the transmissionimage quality is automatically generated in accordance with theoperation mode in the image pickup mode and it is wireless transmitted,the work of the user of the video camera may be saved and the optimumwireless transmission may be conducted.

[0121] Further, since the spread spectrum transmission system is usedfor the wireless transmission, the transmission information amount maybe increased, the degradation of the information by the interference andthe disturbance may be prevented, the directivity is enhanced and thetransmission distance may be extended. Further, since the settinginformation is displayed in the finder, the failure of the transmissionstate may be prevented and the operability is improved.

[0122] The operation switch of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 7 isa mere example and various forms may be adopted.

[0123] For example, other example is shown in FIG. 12. The operationswitch of FIG. 12 uses one rotary switch 720 as a switch to set in themanual mode.

[0124] When the rotary switch 720 is rotated to a position a, thepreference is set to the frame rate, and when it is rotated to aposition b, the preference is set to the resolution.

[0125] As the rotary switch 720 is operated, the control circuit 106controls the pixel thinning-out circuit 151, the frame rate thinning-outcircuit 153 and the quantization step control circuit 156.

[0126] In other words, the foregoing description of the embodiments hasbeen given for illustrative purposes only and not top be construed asimposing any limitation in every respect.

[0127] The scope of the invention is, therefore, to be determined solelyby the following claims and not limited by the text of thespecifications and alterations made within a scope equivalent to thescope of the claims fall within the true spirit and scope of theinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image transmission apparatus comprising: a)input means for inputting image data; b) motion detection means fordetecting the motion of the image data; c) setting means for setting atransmission condition of the image data in accordance with the outputof said motion detection means; d) processing means for processing theimage data in accordance with the transmission condition set by saidsetting means; and e) transmission means for transmitting the image dataprocessed by said processing means.
 2. An image transmission apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein said transmission means is wirelesstransmission means.
 3. An image transmission apparatus according toclaim 2, wherein said wireless transmission means is of spread spectrumsystem.
 4. An image transmission apparatus according to claim 1, whereinsaid transmission condition is a frame rate of the image data.
 5. Animage transmission apparatus according to claim 1, wherein saidtransmission condition is a resolution of the image data.
 6. An imagetransmission apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said transmissioncondition is the number of pixels of the image data.
 7. An imagetransmission apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said processingmeans includes coding means for compressing the image data.
 8. An imagetransmission apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said transmissioncondition is a compression rate of said compression coding means.
 9. Animage transmission apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said inputmeans includes an image pickup means for converting an optical image toan electrical signal.
 10. An image transmission apparatus according toclaim 9, wherein said motion detection means detects an image pickupoperation of said image pickup means to detect the motion of the imagedata.
 11. An image transmission apparatus according to claim 10, whereinthe image pickup operation is a panning operation.
 12. An imagetransmission apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said motiondetection means includes an acceleration sensor.
 13. An imagetransmission apparatus comprising: a) image pickup condition detectionmeans for detecting an image pickup condition of image pickup means forpicking up an image; b) information amount reduction means for reducingan information amount of the image data from said image pickup means; c)control means for controlling an operation of said information amountreduction means in accordance with the output of said image pickupcondition detection means; and d) transmission means for transmittingthe image data outputted from said information amount reduction means.14. An image transmission apparatus according to claim 13, wherein saidcontrol means adaptively controls the operation of said informationamount reduction means between a first mode for setting preference to aresolution of the image data and a second mode for setting preference toa frame rate.
 15. An image transmission apparatus according to claim 13,wherein the image pickup condition is an image pickup direction.
 16. Animage transmission apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said imagepickup condition detection means includes an acceleration sensor.
 17. Animage transmission apparatus according to claim 13, wherein saidtransmission means is wireless transmission means.
 18. An imagetransmission apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said wirelesstransmission means is of spread spectrum system.
 19. An imagetransmission apparatus comprising: a) image pickup means for picking upan image to output image data; b) setting means for setting an imagepickup operation mode of said image pickup means; c) determination meansfor determining a transmission condition of the image data in accordancewith the output of said setting means; d) processing means forprocessing the image data in accordance with the transmission conditiondetermined by said determination means; and e) transmission means fortransmitting the image data processed by said processing means.
 20. Animage transmission apparatus according to claim 19, wherein saidtransmission means is wireless transmission mean.
 21. An imagetransmission means according to claim 20, wherein said wirelesstransmission means is of spread spectrum system.
 22. An imagetransmission apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the transmissioncondition is a frame rate of the image data.
 23. An image transmissionapparatus according to claim 19, wherein the transmission condition is aresolution of the image data.
 24. An image transmission apparatusaccording to claim 19, wherein the transmission condition is the numberof pixels of the image data.
 25. An image transmission apparatusaccording to claim 19, wherein said processing means includes codingmeans for compressing the image data.
 26. An image transmission methodcomprising the steps of: a) inputting image data; b) detecting motion ofthe image data; c) setting a transmission condition of the image data inaccordance with the detection result of said motion detection step; d)processing the image data in accordance with the transmission conditionset by said setting step; and e) transmitting the image data processedby said processing step.
 27. An image transmission method comprising thesteps of: a) picking up an image; b) detecting an image pickupcondition; c) reducing information amount of image data derived in saidimage pickup step; d) controlling an operation of said informationamount reduction step in accordance with the detection result of saidimage pickup condition detection step; and e) transmitting the imagedata outputted in said information amount reduction step.
 28. An imagetransmission method comprising the steps of: a) picking up an image andoutputting image data; b) setting an image pickup condition; c)determining a transmission condition of the image data in accordancewith the set result in said setting step; d) processing the image datain accordance with the transmission condition set in said determinationstep; and e) transmitting the image data processed in said processingstep.